Matlock Caves/Easily Accessible Caves?

[jasonbirder]

As roads look bad at the minute...we're struggling a bit for a mid-week trip...
Probably going to do something around Matlock
Anyone have suggestions of interesting trips (especially ones we might not already have done a few times!!!)
Thanks in advance...

 

[owd git]

gentlrwomans to youds
if you are thinner than me!
4-5 hrs depending on your interest in form /minerology /archeology.
p.m. for any info i might forward
Owd Git
i personally rate wapping highly too!
plenty of muck in jug holes if you like mud.
Masson back-door has many hours to offer.
What do you want?
O. G.

 

[zomjon]

Knowing how you've done so many of the more interesting trips around Matlock, such as Gentlewoman's, how about an evening (or few) visiting all the little holes in the Via Gellia - there's a lot more than the usual suspects!

 

[Pipster]

gentlrwomans to youds
if you are thinner than me!
4-5 hrs depending on your interest in form /minerology /archeology.
p.m. for any info i might forward
Owd Git
i personally rate wapping highly too!
plenty of muck in jug holes if you like mud.
Masson back-door has many hours to offer.
What do you want?
O. G.

We've done all those several times and we're not to sure if you can get up Salters Lane at the moment either.

Whats the best way to reach Devonshire?

 

[jasonbirder]

Via Gelia sounds interesting...whats the score with Goodluck Mine or Ball Eye Mines access wise these days?

 

[big-palooka]

Hi Jason

Park at the scrubland adjacent to the Matlock Bath Hoitel - walk up past Temple Mine, cut up the walkway to the the top road, pick upo the footpath - over the wall and into the woods where devonshire entrance is.  Dont park up the hill. Dont forget adjustable spanner.

Paul C

 

[Inskia]

Re: whats the score with Goodluck Mine or Ball Eye Mines access wise these days

GLM is gated & locked, access now controlled by the Goodluck Mine Preservation Club: http://goodluckmine.org.uk/

Ball Eye Mines: AFAIK current access situation unclear (and local residents can get upset if they spot cavers going up there) so would suggest steering clear for time being.

if you've not been before, Devonshire would be a good option at the moment as you won't have to climb a steep snow covered hillside to get to the entrance.

 

[Turner]

do the laws on nicking still apply loooooool

 

[Inskia]

They do indeed but if it were me I wouldn't want to set foot in the legal "minefield" (excuse the pun) that goes with 'em..... Scary

 

[paul]

Jason - the roads around here (Winster) are MUCH clearer today with a thaw beginning to set in so I would imagine things will be back to normal soon...

 

[Pipster]

Thanks for the responses guys; we found Devonshire Cavern with no problems, and had a good explore - much more to it than we'd anticipated

 

[big-palooka]

Hi Pipster - Devonshire is much under-rated and easily dismissed as just a novice group led first trip.

Cheers
Paul C

 

[owd git]

Ball Eye Mines: AFAIK current access situation unclear (and local residents can get upset if they spot cavers going up there) so would suggest steering clear for time being.

I have been told the gate is controlled by 'the arkwright soc', however to the south ( right as you look towards.) there is a stope that with care is very accessible.  beware the iron ladder (you will know what i mean! )
if you park opposite at the play-mill and follow the barely discernable path, up from the via gellia road, rather than cutting through the jitty adjacent to cottage his dog don't bark and no-one objects!
Owd Git.
oooh, just thought in this thaw clatterway levels would be great. (knock and check with lower cottage to confirm you can cross his garden back to the road, he is very happy if asked  )

 

[owd git]

sorry  just checked the names. :-[
waterace house, 'Charles'.
(lower cottage /exit.)
well worth a go,
posted with the best intentions.
Owd Git

 

[Tripod]

I have expressed this concern before - the "arkwright society" appears to have activities and is trying to exert influence beyond those connected with arkwright. What can this society have to do with Ball Eye?

 

[graham]

I have expressed this concern before - the "arkwright society" appears to have activities and is trying to exert influence beyond those connected with arkwright. What can this society have to do with Ball Eye?

You could always mail 'em and ask:

The Arkwright Society,
Cromford Mill, Mill Lane,
Cromford, Matlock,
Derbyshire, DE4 3RQ
tel: 01629 823256
fax: 01629 823256
info@arkwrightsociety.org.uk

 

[Tripod]

Nothing on the arkwright society website about Ball Eye or any activity on that side of the road in that area. We all need to know what the situation is here don't we? Having been involved slightly with past access/gating issues I would be interested to know of any new twists to the Ball Eye saga.

 

[Big Jim]

Arkwright Soc own quite a lot of the land at the bottom end of the VG. I think this also includes area around slinter wood and where Groaning Tor is. A lot of the rest is owned by Cromford Key estates who I believe can also be twitchy about folks going down their mines as theyve had a few insurance issues.  They also own area above Nimble Jack where some numpty fell down a shaft.  Also for info, the land around Jacobs Dream is owned by the chap at the old colour works (directly below Jacobs) and he is not happy about folks wandering around up there, but OK of you go and ask first.

 

[JAM]

Probably best to ask PDMHS or WMRG about access in this area, they'll probably know the most up to date situation.

Rich

 

[owd git]

i would bet a pound to a pinch of sh1t  Jim knows what he's talking about .
till homicider time   O. G.